$1bn security fund: Senators angry they weren’t consulted, says Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki says some senators are angry they
were not consulted over the $1 billion approved for the procurement
of security equipment in the country.

On Wednesday, Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, said
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of $1 billion for the
purchase of equipment for the military.

Speaking in Jos, Plateau state, on Saturday, Saraki said it was
wrong for the executive to take the step without broaching the
matter with the national assembly.

“Just few days ago, there was the issue of providing funding for
the purchase of security equipments. In a good environment, such an
issue needed to have been discussed with lawmakers,” he said.

“Already, some senators are angry. They said they were not
consulted by the executive before such a decision was taken. These
are the issues we are talking about.

“I needed to be here to speak on these issues. It is not just
about today. Posterity will be here to judge us that what I am
saying is true. If we do not change the way we behave, we will
remain like this for many years to come.”

Saraki, who was speaking at a retreat on ‘strengthening
executive -legislature relations’, said both arms of government
need each other for a smooth running of government.

“There is no the security architecture of this country that can
work without a strong synergy between the executive and the
legislature,” he said.

“When you see certain agencies, who by their actions and
utterances frustrate the relationship between the two arms, you
begin to wonder.

“What do we need to do? Do the police need more funding or more
powers? Do they need new legislations to strengthen them. These are
the issues where the executive and the legislature must work
together.”

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said a draft bill will
be sent to the national assembly for consideration and
approval.

“The process has begun, it’s not concluded, therefore, everyone
will be involved. Mr President will not breach the constitution of
this country. Approval at that level is granted, there is nothing
controversial,” Shehu had said when he featured on a Channels TV
programme.

Senate President Bukola Saraki says some senators are angry they
were not consulted over the $1 billion approved for the procurement
of security equipment in the country.

On Wednesday, Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, said
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of $1 billion for the
purchase of equipment for the military.

Speaking in Jos, Plateau state, on Saturday, Saraki said it was
wrong for the executive to take the step without broaching the
matter with the national assembly.

“Just few days ago, there was the issue of providing funding for
the purchase of security equipments. In a good environment, such an
issue needed to have been discussed with lawmakers,” he said.

“Already, some senators are angry. They said they were not
consulted by the executive before such a decision was taken. These
are the issues we are talking about.

“I needed to be here to speak on these issues. It is not just
about today. Posterity will be here to judge us that what I am
saying is true. If we do not change the way we behave, we will
remain like this for many years to come.”

Saraki, who was speaking at a retreat on ‘strengthening
executive -legislature relations’, said both arms of government
need each other for a smooth running of government.

“There is no the security architecture of this country that can
work without a strong synergy between the executive and the
legislature,” he said.

“When you see certain agencies, who by their actions and
utterances frustrate the relationship between the two arms, you
begin to wonder.

“What do we need to do? Do the police need more funding or more
powers? Do they need new legislations to strengthen them. These are
the issues where the executive and the legislature must work
together.”

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said a draft bill will
be sent to the national assembly for consideration and
approval.

“The process has begun, it’s not concluded, therefore, everyone
will be involved. Mr President will not breach the constitution of
this country. Approval at that level is granted, there is nothing
controversial,” Shehu had said when he featured on a Channels TV
programme.